When on the move, you understand that things will be different:different language, unique architecture, unique cuisine.
However, even if you are ready for these major differences, there will likely be certain aspects that take you by surprise—things that seem somewhat unexpected or unusual compared to what you’re accustomed to.
This list is specifically designed for Americans from the United States – some of these points may also apply in other European countries, so individuals from different nationalities might or might not find certain items on the list surprising.
With that in mind, to assist you in getting ready for your journey to France, here are 25 minor aspects that could catch you off guard in French culture.
1. Bottle Caps Secured to the Bottle
New laws in the European Union require that all single-use plastic water bottles have their caps securely fastened – they must not come off entirely.
This aims to reduce plastic waste and littering, which is a commendable objective, but it can be a bit of an adjustment when you’re trying to take a sip and the cap touches your nose or cheek!
2. Pay for Bathrooms
Bathrooms in France can be unpredictable – some are free, while others charge between €0.50 and €1. Occasionally, you can pay with a card, but other times you’ll need coins, so it’s wise to have some change on hand.
Public restrooms can be hard to locate in large cities (they are typically found only in museums and restaurants), so make sure to use them whenever possible. You will rarely come across restrooms in retail stores or gas stations.
Interestingly, I’ve noticed that public restrooms are easier to find in smaller towns and villages throughout France (for example, there is a structure in the center of the village that provides toilet facilities) compared to urban areas.
3. Frozen Cubes Are Uncommon
If you’re having a meal at a restaurant and order a soda or water, it’s very uncommon to receive ice cubes with your drink (to be honest, I can’t recall a single instance where I was given ice cubes).
Furthermore, if you enjoy coffee and are visiting during the hot summer season, keep in mind that iced coffee is not very common in France. It’s not entirely nonexistent, but it’s quite rare.
4. AC Is Not a Certainty
It’s hard to believe that air conditioning isn’t common in all structures, coming from most U.S. states, yet there are numerous buildings (such as museums and hotels) in France that lack air conditioning.
Specifically, budget hotels may lack air conditioning.
If you’re planning a visit during the summer months, it’s advisable to confirm that your lodging is equipped with air conditioning, unless you’re not bothered by a warmer environment.
In the summer, I began carrying a compact, travel-sized fan – it makes a big difference when the air conditioning isn’t as effective as I’d prefer at night.
5. Police Officers Are Unbelievably Attractive
Sure, here’s a paraphrased version of your text: “Okay, yes, this is somewhat ridiculous. I’m not entirely sure how it works, but for some reason, all the police officers in France are incredibly good-looking.”
And this isn’t just me being unusual; I’ve talked about this with several people, and we all agree that, in an objective sense, French police officers are simply very attractive.
6. Different Sirens
As for the police, emergency vehicles in France produce a distinct sound compared to those in the United States, such as police cars, ambulances, and fire trucks.
Rather than the sound that somewhat glides up and down in America, French vehicles simply switch directly between a high and low pitch – there is no gliding sound at all.
The sirens are a charming little feature that I truly like – it’s just another small reminder that I am, indeed, in a different country!
7. Tiny Elevators
Elevators in France, especially inhotels and apartment buildings, are typically very compact and snug – just enough space for two individuals, or one person along with their baggage.
The small elevators are logical since they are typically installed in old buildings that weren’t originally built with elevators in mind.
Although it might require your group to divide to use the elevator, especially when carrying luggage, I believe squeezing into a small elevator is a delightful experience when visiting France.
8. The first floor is considered the second floor, and so on.
In France (and across Europe in general), the method of numbering floors differs from that used in the United States. In the US, the ground level is referred to as the first floor, whereas in France, this level is known as the Rez-de-Chaussée and is labeled as the zeroth floor.
So, what is the second floor in the US is the first floor in France, and so on.
9. Hello and Goodbye
The French place a strong emphasis on being courteous, particularly when saying hello and goodbye to others.
Although you wouldn’t typically greet strangers on the street with “bonjour,” it’s essential to always say “bonjour” when entering a store, asking an employee a question, or engaging in any business-related conversation with someone.
Likewise, it is considered very polite to say “merci au revoir” or even “thank you, goodbye” when exiting a store or concluding a conversation.
10. Fixation on Specific Entrance and Exit Areas
Maybe it’s because they frequently work in small spaces and busy areas, but the French appear to place a lot of importance on showing the direction of movement, and labeling doors or entries that are designated as “IN” and “OUT.”
Oh, and regarding vehicle traffic, most parking lots also have designated one-way entries and exits.
11. Firework Displays Are Truly Outstanding
If you find yourself in France on a major national holiday, like July 14th (France’s Independence Day), or New Year’s Eve, you can expect to enjoy some incredible fireworks displays!
What sets them apart in France compared to the United States? Firstly, they are typically synchronized with music, meaning songs are played through speakers during the fireworks display, and the explosions are timed to match the rhythm of the song.
The fireworks are also highly enjoyable, and there are numerous ones! We have been amazed by the number of fireworks launched simultaneously, whether you’re in a large city or a small village.
Of course, the best spot to view fireworks is near the Eiffel Tower – if you’re willing to deal with the throngs. The July 14th Eiffel Tower fireworks display is famous.
12. Excellent Bread Is Merely a Few Steps Away
One of the finest aspects of traveling to France is that there is aboulangerie (bakery) found on nearly every street corner, and almost every boulangerie offers amazing bread, pastries, andbreakfast pastriesat a highly affordable cost.
13. Trains Are Frequently the Most Efficient Means of Travel
In contrast to the US, public transportation is highly efficient in France, and traveling by train is frequently the most effective method of navigating the country.
Trains are very simple and practical to use. I enjoy arriving at the station 15 minutes before the train leaves and just smoothly boarding – a big contrast to the stress of airports.
14. No Turning Right at Red Lights
Nevertheless, there are instances where renting a vehicle is reasonable, especially if you’re embarking on a road journey across the country and plan to explore numerous small towns and villages over several days.
In this situation, it’s beneficial to be aware that drivers are prohibited from turning right on a red light!
15. Varieties of Automobiles in France
Following the vehicle theme, the majority of cars in France use manual transmission (stick shift) rather than automatic.
If you aren’t able to operate a manual transmission, ensure you explicitly look for an automatic rental vehicle, since the default option is typically manual when reviewing search results.
Furthermore, vehicles in France tend to be significantly smaller compared to those in the United States. Even minivans are more compact in France.
Although you may feel like renting a bigger vehicle for more space and legroom, I always suggest renting the smallest car that meets your needs.
Streets, alleys, parking structures, and individual parking spaces are significantly more confined and compact compared to those in the United States, making daily life considerably less stressful when driving a smaller vehicle.
16. Lots of Smoking
Although smoking rates have been decreasing in France, a significant portion of the population continues to smoke every day (ranging from 25 to 30 percent), and vaping is also widely practiced.
On the other hand, the smoking rate in the United States is approximately 11%. However, it seems even more common because smoking is socially acceptable in numerous public areas and restaurant patios.
17. Grocery Store Bags Come With a Cost
French individuals often carry their own, eco-friendly bags while doing grocery shopping, or occasionally use a small cart that they can roll back home (to prevent carrying several heavy bags).
If you’re only grabbing a few items during your trip, you can pay 10 to 15 cents for a plastic or paper bag at the register. However, it’s better to purchase a reusable bag ahead of time and make sure to carry it with you.
18. Long Summer Holidays
The French take their time off seriously, with most individuals receiving at least 5 to 6 weeks of paid leave annually, in addition to 10 official public holidays.
Numerous individuals opt for an extended, relaxed summer break and will leave for 2-4 weeks to travel.hang around near the oceanin the mountains, or in the rural areas.
August is especially a highly popular time for vacations, and many businesses often shut down for the entire month while everyone is away on holiday.
19. Revenue Occurs Twice Annually
French stores have a distinctive custom involving nationwide sales, or “les soldeslasting four weeks in January and another four weeks in July.Les soldes actually possess certain strict regulations established by the government, such as controlling the start and end dates.
Nearly all stores are involved inles soldesand will display signs and promotional posters on their windows promoting the discount or offer you can anticipate (typically 30-50% off is standard).
For those who enjoy shopping, this is an excellent opportunity to find amazing offers.
20. Walkers Control the Roadway
In France, individuals on foot have priority, and vehicles are required to halt for pedestrians at designated crosswalks.
Although this may not appear much different from the rules and traditions in the United States, in reality, we often find ourselves wanting to stop and give way to vehicles instead of expecting the vehicles to stop for us (which they do).
Additionally, although jaywalking is technically against the law if you are within 50 meters of a crosswalk, in practice, French people often cross narrow streets whenever they need to.
French individuals often cross the street at a pedestrian crossing when the road is clear, even if the traffic light is red, rather than waiting for the green light.
This, of course, involves some complexity – crosswalks on major streets are typically acknowledged, and you must be very cautious of both vehicles and bicycles that could be coming.
However, in general, minimal attention is paid to adhering to the illuminated crosswalk signs.
21. Communication with Waitstaff in Dining Establishments
Restaurants and cafes play a vital role in the French way of life, and enjoying French food is a wonderful way to pass the time. There are some intriguing contrasts in dining experiences between France and the United States.
First, servers usually lean towards allowing people to eat and unwind in peace.
If you require anything (such as placing an order, needing additional water, or being prepared for your bill), you must signal the waiter to assist you rather than waiting for them to approach you on their own.
22. Tipping at Restaurants
Second, tipping is not necessary or anticipated in France – a service charge is already part of the cost and servers are compensated accordingly.
23. Doggie Bags
In conclusion, doggie bags are extremely rare in France, and you will rarely witness someone leaving with a container of leftovers. That said, there are certain restaurants where you can order your whole meal to go.
Read more about the unspoken guidelines of French dining
24. The tax is included in the price
When checking prices, whether in a store, restaurant, bakery, or museum, the displayed price is always the final amount you’ll pay. Therefore, if an item costs €14, you will pay exactly €14 when you check out, since tax is already included in the listed price.
Although France may be a costly destination, the absence of an additional 8-10% sales tax on top of the item’s price makes the overall expenses less severe.
Consider the extra factor of not tipping an additional 20% or more when eating out, and going out to dinner almost feels like a good deal!
25. La Bise is a Real Thing
La bise, or the French kiss, is a genuine and widespread custom in France, where people greet a friend or family member by kissing them on one or both cheeks.
As a visitor, you’ll rarely be asked to take part in this custom, but you will definitely witness it!
The Wrap Up
That’s all! Were there any items on this list that truly amazed you?
Exploring new places is an excellent method to engage with a distinct culture, and when you go to another nation, it’s beneficial to embrace everything calmly and appreciate the opportunity to do things in a new way.
The post 25 Common French Habits That Seem Completely Unfamiliar to Americans appeared first on France Adventurer.
